New Hampshire’s Superior Court system has announced it will be halting jury trials for the month of January, in an effort to save money.  New Hampshire is suffering from a state budget crisis, facing a $250 million revenue shortfall this year.  Approximately $73,000 will be saved by suspending jury trials, which is the monthly amount spent on stipends for jurors.  Although this measure will avoid lay-offs in the judicial system, it will have a negative effect on plaintiffs and defendants awaiting trial.  In New Hampshire’s largest counties, Hillsborough and Rockingham, it has been reported some 179 criminal and civil trials planned for February and March have been rescheduled.  The New York Times has reported that at least 20 state court systems are facing a deficit, and that those in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Minnesota were suffering the most.  For full article:    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/us/09court.html?scp=2&sq=New%20Hampshire&st=cse

Although New York has not announced an official plan to suspend jury trials, in mid-December Governor Patterson proposed a plan that includes $9 billion worth of spending cuts.  Exactly how these cuts will be allocated has not yet been determined.  Regardless, New Yorkers should be prepared to see a change in the court system.  The reality of judicial lay-offs may result in understaffed courts, as well as a bottleneck of filings and judicial decisions. 

The attorneys at Leeds, Morelli & Brown, P.C., are committed to providing comprehensive and timely representation for its clients during these tough economic times.  For any questions contact an attorney at the Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C. law firm for a free consultation at 1-800-545-4658.  Leeds Morelli & Brown P.C.’s website is located at www.lmblaw.com.